The Thirteens’ fixture against Carlisle Blue proved to be the best game of the season so far and resulted in a thirteen run victory for Dumfries, which would have been closer but for Carlisle’s policy of giving everyone a bowl.

The match ebbed and flowed throughout. Batting first Dumfries were put under early pressure. Fergus B and Orla succumbed to good swing bowling but these however proved to be the only wickets to fall.

Matthew, promoted to open the batting, and Aiden put on a half-century partnership with some good batting, the occasional boundary and some excellent running. James H took over on Matthew’s retiral and looked like a proper batter but could not quite find the gaps. This allowed the Carlisle youngsters to restrict the total to good but manageable.

A solid performance in the field, however, was just enough for the win. Dumfries’s opening bowlers, Katy and Orla, kept it tight and looked threatening. Some good hitting then brought Carlisle back into the game but James H and Fergus B managed to put the lid back on things.

The ground fielding and catching were, on the whole, excellent but the star of the innings was Lewis Fergusson – looking “the business” on his wicket- keeping debut in only his second match.

Dumfries Thirteens 119 for 2; M McBurnie 30retd, A Goodin 28*, J Hobman 15*, K Titterington 2/14
Carlisle Blue U13s 106 for 4; K Titterington 30retd, H McAlindon 15, A Moran 14; K Anderson 1/17, J Hobman 1/15, F Bainbridge 1/13